Jared Crick

DT Nebraska

Grade

4.99 SEC

31.0 INCH

104.0 INCH

7.47 SEC

4.40 SEC

Overview

While Crick missed the majority of his senior season because of a torn pectoral muscle and was assumed by many to be the lucky beneficiary of playing next to dominant Ndamdakung Suh early in his career, he still could emerge as one of the premier defensive lineman in the draft. A defensive tackle at Nebraska, Crick shows value not only in his ability to be effective playing inside but also as a potential defensive end, particularly in a 3-4 scheme. The two-time all-conference selection has displayed enough football acumen, especially in his junior year without the help of Suh, to still hear his name called early in the draft.

Analysis

Strengths

Crick possesses the size and athletic ability to play in various positions across the defensive line. He flashed the ability to defeat blocks and get to the ball-carrier to make big plays in the backfield. He is active in the run game and shows great instincts that allow him to be an active player. Once in the backfield, he can run down quarterbacks with pure hustle. Off the snap, he uses his size and hands to get off blocks and show up.

Weaknesses

There were worries that Crick would struggle against double teams after Suh left Nebraska, and those concerns proved to be true. He is tough to hold off one-on-one, but he often shuts it down or gets eliminated from the play when blocked by more than one lineman. The knee injury he suffered last spring and his overall mobility, which wasn't necessarily a strong suit prior to this season, will now be an even greater question mark.